The Cross-Country Quilters — Jennifer Chiaverini

The third in the Elm Creek Quilts series, The Cross-Country Quilters introduces a group of far-flung friends who pledge to complete, in one year's time, a "challenge quilt" symbolic of each woman's personal goals.

These five women arrive at Elm Creek Manor hoping to find an escape from the problems they left at home. Julia, an aging starlet, is pining for a role in a film whose director is under the mistaken impression that Julia already knows how to quilt. Megan is a successful engineer who won a grand prize for her watercolor charm quilt but has yet to master single motherhood. Donna struggles to teach her daughter independence and self-esteem -- lessons she, too, must take to heart -- while Grace feels her creativity is waning for reasons she won't reveal even to her closest friends. Meanwhile, Vinnie, the senior member, is a sunny soul with a tragic past; her overwhelming desire is to bring happiness into the lives of those she loves.

Although the Cross-Country Quilters share a common goal, as the year goes by their relationship is tested: Will the "challenge quilt" be completed with their friendship intact?